North Bay hosts OFSAA AA Boys Volleyball tournament
While the number of teams attending is a little less than usual, North Bay will still play host to some of the province’s top volleyball teams as OFSAA officially kicks off its 2021 tournament.
With team attendance down, Ontario Federation of School Athletic Associations (OFSAA) officials split the tournament to half its regular capacity.
“Unfortunately not every athletic association was able to commit a team to the championship. So we’re down to 10, which is a half sized championship but the teams that are here are competing hard and having fun,” said Craig Nodwell this OFSAA convenor.
“We just have elevated levels of safety precautions put in place to make sure covid-19 isn’t a factor.”
Host school Chippewa Secondary is embracing the experience even though no fans are allowed in the stands.
“I’ve loved being in the city, and just having the atmosphere. Even though we aren’t allowed fans I feel like being in our city has been a major advantage for us,” said Vaughn Thompson a grade 11 right side hitter on Chippewa.
“Knowing even just the volunteers, having some people in the gym supporting us has been huge.”
Chippewa head coach Mason Truswell told CTV News his team is playing for more then themselves.
“Everyone is at home cheering us on. To see the amount of views we’re getting on our YouTube pages says a lot to the boys. We know what this is about, it’s more than just us, this is something we’re doing for North Bay.”
The tournament is also a boost for the local economy.
“I was talking to people, they were attending local restaurants last night they enjoyed it. Hotels are full right now, so I think we’re doing our part to spark the North Bay economy and I’m proud of that,” said Nodwell.
The gold medal game will take place Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau acknowledges charges in Nijjar killing, calls for commitment to democracy
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged the charges laid Friday in relation to the murder of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Bodies recovered in Mexico likely 2 Australians, 1 American who went missing: officials
Three bodies recovered in an area of Baja California are likely to be those of the two Australians and an American who went missing last weekend during a camping and surfing trip, the state prosecutor’s office said Saturday.
Princess Anne lays wreath at B.C. veteran's cemetery; receives 21-gun salute
Princess Anne paid tribute to veterans buried at a cemetery in British Columbia today, laying a wreath to honour the more than 2,500 military personnel and family members buried there.
Mystik Dan wins the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in a three-horse photo finish
Mystik Dan won the 150th Kentucky Derby in a photo finish, edging out Forever Young and Sierra Leone for the upset victory.
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.
London Drugs begins 'gradual reopening' on 7th day after cyberattack
Almost a week after all London Drugs stores across Western Canada abruptly closed amid a cyberattack, they began a "gradual reopening" on Saturday.